Advice on connecting flight from Newark

[JanMary]

We leave on 12 January, flying from Belfast to MCO via Newark, with Continental all the way.

We have 2 1/2 hours transfer time both ways. I hope this enough.

I remember reading somewhere that your luggage can't be checked through to MCO but must be retreived by ourselves at Newark - is this right? I assume we will have to go through immigration here too.

Has anyone else changed at Newark? Did you have kids and did you get your buggy back? Although if we have to pick up all our luggage hopefully our buggy will be there too!

A bit worried about managing with 3 kids (including DS 15 mths), all our luggage (including car seat and buggy) and managing to get to our connecting flight. Is it far between arrivals and departures? Any delay with immigration?

If anyone can share their experiences and some ressurance that would be great.

Thanks

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

No, it should be check4ed all the way through if you are flying both legs with Continental.

You will have to go through immigration at Newark as that is where you first step onto US soil.

AFAIR you arrive at one terminal, go through customs and then go to the domestic departures terminal. 2 1/2 hours should be ample. You will be given both legs of your journey tickets when you check in at the UK, its then only looking at the departure boards for your internal flight, they will be in alphabetical listing on the departures board. there are some nice eaterys in Domestic departures and also a Starbucks.

 

[magentadreamer]

My first trip to the US was with AA going to Pittsburgh via Chicago. As Chicago was my port of entry I had to go throw Immigration and Customs at Chicago. I had to collect my luggage and then check it back in for the Chicago Pittsburgh flight. On my way to Orlando I am going via Chicago and BMI told me I would have to reclaim my luggage at Chicago to do immigration/customs.

 

[gilld]

When we went from LGW to MCO via Newark with Continental, we had to collect luggage and resubmit it after immigration and customs. We had 2 hours and we would have missed the domestic flight had it not been an hour late.

We thought Newark a horrible airport, and they had no system for boarding the plane - everyone just rushed and it took about 2 hours to get us all on board.

Good luck!

 

[Pootle]

Your luggage will definitely have to be collected at Newark on the outbound journey while you take it through Customs and then hand it back in.

On your way home you will hand it in at MCO and not see it again until you arrive home.

My BIL did the journey from Manchester to MCO with Continental this year and he only had 90 minutes for the connection in Newark and it was just fine. You can be unlucky (I know Dallas Fort Worth very well having missed 2 connections - not from the UK - in the last 2 years ) but usually it should be okay.

 

[jockey]

JanMary - a friend used this route from BFS a few weeks ago and said its fantastic- less hassle than routing through London or Dublin!!! She allowed 2 1/2 hours between flights and it was ample! She also suggests there are decent eateries in Newark too!!


Let us know how you get on and any tips you have travelling with an infant- my DS will be 14 months when we use this route for our next trip!!!


Have a great time!

 

[Amyrlin]

2 1/2 hours will be fine, the recommending for Newark. YOu will have to collect your luggage to go through customs and then yo go to the connecting desk tp book in agian. It is quiet simple.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Your luggage is checked all the way to Orlando but you have to collect it at Newark to clear customs. Once you have done this you hand it back in to security and it gets put on your next flight. You will be given both boarding cards in Belfast so you know what gate you need and have your seats assigned. It is fairly straight forward and 2 1/2 hours should be plenty. Newark is a great airport - it is bright and clean and there are plenty of places to get something to eat. I think Gild must have had bad luck with his flight, we have used it a few times and they always board the Orlando aircraft by seat numbers and check your boarding cards (sending back those Muppets who insist on trying to get on before they are called)

On the way home your luggage is checked in at Orlando and you don't collect it again until you get back to Belfast (or Dublin in our case)

 

[FizzyPop]

We went with continental via Newark and our luggage was check all the way to MCO You should have plenty of time for your connection

 

[NornIron]

Your luggage is checked all the way to Orlando but you have to collect it at Newark to clear customs. Once you have done this you hand it back in to security and it gets put on your next flight. You will be given both boarding cards in Belfast so you know what gate you need and have your seats assigned. It is fairly straight forward and 2 1/2 hours should be plenty. Newark is a great airport - it is bright and clean and there are plenty of places to get something to eat.

On the way home your luggage is checked in at Orlando and you don't collect it again until you get back to Belfast (or Dublin in our case)

Is correct,


i flew the Belfast to Orlando route via Newark in October and returned in November, Continential use the same terminal so you wont have to rush from one to another.

BTW

I found the service great from both the American Authorities and the Continential staff.

 

[JanMary]

This place is the best! Thanks everyone for the info and reassurances.

Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year